NSF Convergence Accelerator Phases I and II for the 2021 Cohort | 21 572

Opportunity Information: Apply for 21 572

The NSF Convergence Accelerator Phases I and II for the 2021 Cohort (NSF funding opportunity number 21-572) is a National Science Foundation grant program designed to tackle national-scale societal challenges by pushing research beyond discovery and into real-world use. The program is built around "use-inspired convergence research," meaning teams are expected to integrate multiple disciplines and sectors (for example, academia, industry, government, nonprofits, and community organizations) and apply practical innovation methods such as human-centered design, user discovery, and team science. Instead of funding isolated projects, NSF frames each year around a small set of theme areas called tracks, selected through an ideation process aimed at identifying topics with strong potential for broad national impact. For the 2021 cohort, the solicitation focused on two tracks: Networked Blue Economy (Track E) and Trust and Authenticity in Communications Systems (Track F).

A central feature of this opportunity is that it runs as a two-phase pipeline under one overall program structure. Phase I is meant to help teams sharpen their concept, validate real user needs, build the right cross-sector partnerships, and produce an early proof-of-concept that is positioned to become a deliverable prototype in Phase II. Phase II is where teams commit to a larger research-and-development plan that transitions the work into practice at meaningful scale, with clear deliverables, real end-user engagement, and a credible sustainability plan so the impact can continue after NSF funding ends. This solicitation covers proposals led by institutions such as Institutions of Higher Education, nonprofits, independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar organizations. A parallel Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) exists to expand access for proposals led by for-profit or similar organizations, so applicants are expected to choose the correct pathway depending on the lead organization type.

Track E, Networked Blue Economy, targets ocean-related innovation and aims to connect and modernize how ocean sectors work together. The goal is to create a smart, integrated, connected, and open ecosystem that supports ocean innovation, exploration, and sustainable use. Projects in this track are expected to contribute tools, methods, techniques, educational resources, and approaches that improve how people and organizations engage with ocean environments and resources. NSF emphasizes that the track should generate synergistic partnerships across stakeholders, including ocean science and engineering groups, coastal communities, and a broad range of entities active in the Blue Economy. The intended outcome is a portfolio of products and processes that help the United States engage more sustainably with the ocean while also strengthening the nation’s ability to address ocean challenges and unlock economic and societal value through better connectivity and coordination across the sector.

Track F, Trust and Authenticity in Communications Systems, is aimed at strengthening citizen trust in public information by reducing threats to the integrity of communication ecosystems. This includes public information domains such as health, climate, and news, and it recognizes that modern communication systems face critical threats that can distort, manipulate, or undermine confidence in what people see and share. The track goal is to produce prototypes of new research platforms and integrated collections of tools, techniques, and educational programs that prevent, mitigate, or help society adapt to these threats. Projects are expected to involve innovative partnerships that represent both information consumers and organizations working on trust and authenticity. The deliverables are framed broadly and can include improved services, platform-level capabilities, mechanisms that enhance fidelity between platforms and audiences, and education and training materials that help people become more informed and resilient consumers of information.

Across both tracks, NSF makes it explicit that proposals cannot be framed as stand-alone efforts that happen to share a theme. Each project must show how it contributes to the success of the entire track by fitting into an integrated environment with beneficial outputs for the broader cohort. In other words, NSF is looking for teams that can build something that connects with and strengthens the larger track ecosystem, rather than producing a single narrow solution in isolation. This "track-level integration" requirement is a defining expectation of the Convergence Accelerator model and is tied to the program’s emphasis on convergence, collaboration, and transition to practice.

The application process starts with a required Letter of Intent (LOI), which must be submitted before a Phase I full proposal. The LOI is expected to name a team with the right mix of disciplinary and cross-sector expertise, identify one or more deliverables, explain how the outputs could create societal impact at scale, and describe the team that will be formed to execute the work. Phase I full proposals then expand on this by detailing the planned deliverables, the research plan, and the team formation process that will lead to a proof-of-concept during Phase I.

Phase I awards can provide up to $750,000 for a 12-month period. The structure of that year includes an intensive nine-month period centered on the program’s innovation curriculum, plus approximately three additional months that include activities such as participation in NSF Convergence Accelerator pitch presentations and an expo. During the intensive period, teams work through modules on innovation processes like human-centered design, user discovery, team science, and integrating multidisciplinary partnerships. Teams also receive coaching support, and they may continue with the same coach into Phase II or request a different one.

Only Phase I awardees are eligible to submit a Phase II proposal, making Phase I both a funding stage and a gateway to the larger award. Phase II proposals must lay out a 24-month research and development plan with clear deliverables that will be completed within the two-year window. The emphasis is on transitioning research into practical use through convergence activities, multi-sector partnerships, and active collaboration with end users. Phase II awards may be up to $5,000,000 over 24 months. Teams are expected to use what they learned in Phase I to strengthen partnerships, build a solution prototype, and develop a sustainability model that supports impact beyond NSF funding.

Phase II is performance-managed with clear checkpoints. Awards are initially made for 12 months, and second-year funding depends on demonstrated progress. Teams can expect roughly four virtual and/or in-person meetings with NSF program staff during the year, and at the end of the first 12 months they are evaluated based on a report and a presentation to internal and/or external reviewers. Teams that show significant progress against agreed milestones and deliverables receive continued funding for year two. The program also sets a firm expectation that the work be completed within 24 months, and it generally does not allow no-cost extensions except in clearly documented exceptional cases, which require prior contact with the cognizant Program Officer.

Eligibility and program positioning are also notable. The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant in the science and technology research and development area (CFDA number 47.083). The solicitation was created March 17, 2021, with an original closing date of June 14, 2021, and it anticipated a cohort of awards (the listing notes 38 expected awards). Finally, NSF places strong weight on broadening participation and ensuring benefits reach a wide range of communities. The program encourages proposals from, and partnerships with, minority-serving institutions including HBCUs, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Alaska Native-Serving Institutions, and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions, along with other organizations that strengthen inclusive participation and help ensure the solutions developed through the Accelerator are relevant, equitable, and broadly beneficial.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NSF Convergence Accelerator Phases I and II for the 2021 Cohort" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.083.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 17, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 14, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 38 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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